Warning country's top cricketers about their poor on-field behaviour in the past, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has asked the players to amend their ways as they prepare to head off to India on Friday to take part in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.
MELBOURNE: Warning country's top cricketers about their poor on-field behaviour in the past, Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland has asked the players to amend their ways as they prepare to head off to India on Friday to take part in the ICC Champions Trophy tournament.
Sutherland has expressed concern about the reported bad behaviour of the players on the ground in recent times.
"I know it's something the players have talked about in recent times, even at the camp to address areas of concern, areas of susceptibility," Sutherland was quoted as saying in the Herald Sun.
"I am sure they are making conscious efforts to keep the slate clean and play the game in the right spirit," he added.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting, who has been reported twice for showing dissent towards umpires by the ICC, is on the top of the list of players exhibiting improper behaviour. Other leading players whose conduct has come under scanner are Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath.
Sutherland wants the Australians to live up to the "Spirit of Cricket" pact of the ICC Champions Trophy which will begin in India from Saturday.
"In a broader sense, (the reports) are concerning," Sutherland said.
"If you have a look at a case-by-case scenario, I think they have been relatively minor. I am not in any way condoning that behaviour, but they are level one. My strong feeling is that the bar has actually been raised a little bit by the ICC over the last 12 months, 18 months. Mentally we need to continue to keep up with that."
Sutherland said the players were aware of their responsibilities.
"They are very aware it's more than just what you do out on the field. That has improved," he said.
On the reported war of words between leg-spinner Shane Warne and coach John Buchanan, Sutherland said he had no problems with Warne's comments about Buchcanan last month.
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